Dana Estates, ONDA, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2014

Dana is a Sanskrit term meaning “the Spirit of Generosity.” We thank Dana for being generous enough to share their ONDA label with us here at ACME.

ONDA is a blend of Dana’s single vineyards, including the Crystal Springs site located a stone’s throw from the Abreu Lucia vineyard on Howell Mountain, along with fruit from their famed Lotus Vineyard, the Hershey Vineyard, and the Rutherford site, Helms Vineyard. This year’s wine is 100%, gorgeous, Cabernet Sauvignon. If you have had the good fortune to spend any time at the temple that is the Dana Estates winery, then you know what a gorgeous winemaking facility it is. There, they employ meticulous and proven strategies for coaxing gorgeous wine out of this treasured fruit. Concrete eggs, large puncheons, new French oak barrels, all are used in the fermentation process. Each lot is crafted separately, and then the winemaking team of Chris Cooney & Philippe Melka finalize the ideal blend.

At many wineries, a wine like ONDA would be intended to be the wine that you drink in its relative youth while the tête de cuvée wines age for decades. I don’t think that is the case here. The ONDA is as fine a Napa Valley wine as any out there. It is an exceptional Cabernet that would be the belle of any ball. In our glasses, we find a multi-faceted and glorious Cabernet Sauvignon with layers of morello cherries, blackberries and raspberries, layered with dark chocolate, and baking spice. Purely enthralling juice.